2026 Best Value Art History Schools in the Southwest Region
[Art History](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-history/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value art history schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Art History Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the art history degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Art History Schools
Leading the list is Austin Community College District, our #1 best value for art history in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Art History graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for art history. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $17,687. Art History graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $21,891 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned it the #3 place for art history. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Art History graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $23,551. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes The University Of Texas At El Paso one of the best values for art history. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,778 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $19,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Houston one of the best values for art history. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $21,845. Art History graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $26,482 early in their careers. Set against $21,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture earned the #6 position for value in art history this year. Set in the rural area of Santa Fe, Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,920 in tuition and fees. Art History graduates of Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture earn a median of $29,835 early in their careers. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas landed the #7 spot for art history value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $25,211. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University landed the #8 spot for art history value this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Art History graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $42,197. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Arizona came in at #9 for value in art history this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,290 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $29,893. That is a strong return on a $19,290 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #10 spot for art history value this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Art History graduates carry a median of $26,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $25,156. That is a strong return on a $26,562 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #11 position for value in art history this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $36,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Art History graduates carry a median of $26,928 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $28,445. Set against $26,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #13 position for value in art history this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Art History graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Art History graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $27,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Blinn College earned the #14 position for value in art history this year. Blinn College is a very large public school located in the town of Brenham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,890, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Students borrow a median of $16,465 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in art history this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $21,994. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #16 position for value in art history this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $24,057. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $25,927. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #17 spot for art history value this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,818, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Art History graduates carry a median of $23,321 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $44,085. Set against $23,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University landed the #18 spot for art history value this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $27,846 in student loans. Art History graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $34,428 early in their careers. Set against $27,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Southwestern University came in at #19 for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Georgetown, Southwestern University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,613. Art History graduates carry a median of $24,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Southwestern University generally make around $36,990. Set against $24,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Southern Methodist University earned the #20 position for value in art history this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $38,154. That is a strong return on a $20,712 median debt. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
Baylor University placed #21 among the best values for art history. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Art History graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $49,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
